Preparation

Opening response

Praise

Jesus, like a mother you gather your people to you;you are gentle with us as a mother with her children.Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness;through your gentleness we find comfort in fear.Your warmth gives life to the dead,your touch makes sinners righteous.Lord Jesus, in your mercy heal us;in your love and tenderness remake us.In your compassion bring grace and forgiveness,for the beauty of heaven may your love prepare us.

Anselm (1109)

The Word of God

Psalm 61

Refrain:You are my refuge, God, a tower of strength in the face of the enemy.

God, listen to my cry; pay attention to my prayer!When my heart is weak, I cry out to you from the very ends of the earth.Lead me to the rock that is higher than I am because you have been my refuge, a tower of strength in the face of the enemy.Please let me live in your tent forever! Please let me take refuge in the shelter of your wings!Because you, God, have heard my promises; you’ve given me the same possession as those who honor your name.Add days to the king’s life! Let his years extend for many generations!Let him be enthroned forever before God! Make it so love and faithfulness watch over him!Then I will sing praises to your name forever, and I will do what I promised every single day.

Glory to the Father and to the Sonand to the Holy Spirit;as it was in the beginning is nowand will be forever. Amen.

Refrain:You are my refuge, God, a tower of strength in the face of the enemy.

Psalm prayer

Risen Christ,as you knew the discipline of sufferingand the victory that brings us salvation,so grant us your presence in our weaknessand a place in your unending kingdomnow and forevermore.

Scripture readingLuke 10:38-42

While Jesus and his disciples were traveling, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his message. By contrast, Martha was preoccupied with getting everything ready for their meal. So Martha came to him and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to prepare the table all by myself? Tell her to help me.”

The Lord answered, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things. One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part. It won’t be taken away from her.”

Silence may be kept.

Response

Happy are people who show mercy, because they will receive mercy.

Matthew 5:7

Prayers

Intercession and thanksgiving

Prayers may include these concerns:

Those preparing for baptism and confirmationThose serving through leadershipThose looking for forgivenessThose misled by the false gods of this present ageAll who are hungry

Other intercessions and supplications may be offered as the Holy Spirit leads.

Prayer

Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve;to give and not to count the cost;to fight and not to heed the wounds;to toil and not to seek for rest;to labor and not to seek for any reward,save that of knowing that we do your will.Amen.

Ignatius of Loyola (1556)

The Lord’s Prayer

As our Savior taught us, so we pray

Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name,your kingdom come,your will be done,on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sinsas we forgive those who sin against us.Lead us not into temptationbut deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power,and the glory are yoursnow and forever.Amen.